Jammu: In a bid to step up militancy in a big way in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) has revived support bases along the line of control and the international border, closed after September 11, from where around 1,600 trained terrorists are set to infiltrate, top security sources said on September 28.

Most of the militancy support set-up, including 12 Special Operational Intelligence Units (SOIU), 13 launching pads and 25 arms training camps, have been revived in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan in the last three months, the sources said.

Around 1,560 to 1,615 trained militants, including 20 suicide squads, are set to cross over into the country from these bases, the sources said citing intelligence reports.

Revival of these bases is of concern to the security establishments in Jammu and Kashmir as SOIUs and launch pads, closed after the September 11 attack in US, are the main support system to highly-trained militants for infiltration, sabotage activities and identification of specific targets, they said.

The sources said, "These ISI bases were responsible for attacks on over 40 border outposts and forward defence locations along the LoC and IB with the help of armed militants before the September 11 terror strikes in the US."

According to intelligence reports, of the 1,600 militants set to be pushed into India, 1,110 to 1,140 were in 21 camps and launching pads along the LoC and 450 in four bases along the IB.

The SOIU bases have been set up at Bagh, Kahuta, Hazira, Goi, Jandro, Nikia, Sensa, Mirpur, Khuiratta, Saman, Zafarwal and Sialkote forward, it said.

The launching pads are at Bhimber, Bindi, Samani, Marar, Shakergarh, Dhallapur, Manana, Nikial, Goi, Sensa, Hajira, Ralaur and Garnun opposite Kathua in Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch sector.

The report said 300-310 militants were in Chirat-Kahuta-Goi area and150-155 in Sensa-Kotli-Nakial belt opposite Poonch.

As many as 400-410 terrorists were in camps in Mirpur-Bhimber-Bindi area of PoK opposite Rajouri sector and 260-265 in Mamana-Garnun-Samani-Kudiali arch of PoK opposite Noushera along the LoC.

It said 450-475 militants were in launching pads and camps along the IB in Musa-Sailkote-Zar- Shakergarh area opposite Jammu-Kathua sector.

The report has been brought to the notice of the United States as proof about Pakistan's direct involvement in militancy in Jammu and Kashmir and its efforts to revive terrorist support set-up closed after September 11 attacks.

PTI